FitForCommerce Press Releases

FitForCommerce Press Releases

From Product Idea to Doorstep – New Report from FitForCommerce Details Everything that Retailers, Brands and B2B Companies Must Master to Achieve Digital Commerce Success

The “Idea to Doorstep” report covers all the steps and technologies required to launch, manage and grow a digital commerce business, including a special spotlight on B2B.

FitForCommerce LLC, the leading boutique digital commerce consultancy that helps retailers and brands make informed digital, ecommerce and omnichannel retail investment decisions, today released the latest version of the popular “Idea to Doorstep” report.

From developing the strategy and building a high-performing team, to building a solid foundation and selecting the right technologies, there are many different moving parts to manage. It can be overwhelming – even for the most seasoned executives.

The Idea to Doorstep report is designed as an easy guide to all the areas and technologies that brands, retailers, manufacturers and distributors must tackle in order to run a successful digital business including merchandising, marketing, user experience, selling, marketplaces, order management and customer service. The report also features a special spotlight for B2B organizations.

Drawing upon findings from the FitForCommerce Omnichannel Retail Index, insights from industry experts and third party research, the report is jam-packed with relevant industry statistics and highlights best practices and examples.

The complimentary report is available for download here: http://www.fitforcommerce.com/items/idea-doorstep-2018-pr/

About FitForCommerce

FitForCommerce is a leading boutique consultancy that helps hundreds of online and multichannel brands and retailers make informed digital, ecommerce and omnichannel retail investment decisions. Leveraging years of experience, state-of-the-art tools, strategic diligence and tactical planning, FitForCommerce helps brands and retailers define strategies for growth, improve the customer experience, plan and hire the right organization, and find “best fit” technology solutions. eCommerceKnowHow.com, managed by FitForCommerce, is the ecommerce industry’s most comprehensive knowledge base and educational resource. The Innovation Office, powered by FitForCommerce, curates emerging technologies to help retailers keep up with and demystify innovation in the retail space. The NRF-FitForCommerce Omnichannel Retail Index is the industry’s premier study and benchmark of key omnichannel capabilities across retail touchpoints to assess the customer experience.

E-Commerce and Logistics Conference Set for Feb. 7

eCom18 Will Feature Former Travelocity CEO Terry Jones

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – With the rise of online purchasing, e-commerce is an increasingly fast-growing part of the Northeast Indiana economy. Business leaders and entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to hone their online craft at eCom18, a one-day e-commerce and logistics conference scheduled for Feb. 7 at the Parkview Mirro Event and Conference Center.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, northern Indiana has the highest concentration of manufacturing workers in the nation. Manufacturing and e-commerce are increasingly going hand-in-hand; e-commerce now accounts for 63 percent of manufacturing sales, compared to 7.2 percent of retail sales. With nearly 10,000 wholesalers, manufacturers, and retailers in northern Indiana, leveraging e-commerce is critical to economic growth in the region.

“Any business with a website is participating in e-commerce, and the online buying experience is so important,” said Patrick Dooley, Director of Airport Development at Greater Fort Wayne Inc. “No matter what size your business is or how long you’ve been operating, there’s always something to learn. We hope eCom18 helps our local business community stay on the cutting edge and succeed.”

Former Travelocity president and CEO Terry Jones will deliver the keynote address, “Building Digital Relationships.” Jones, who was also a founder of travel booking site Kayak.com, is currently a venture capitalist and serves as chairman of a consulting firm that helps companies transition to the digital economy.

Presentation topics include:

• Online selling channels

• Setting up operations

• Talent attraction and retention

• Mobile commerce

• Future e-commerce innovations

In addition to the full day of presentations and panel discussions, there are 16 spots available for individualized website critiques from the digital commerce experts at FitForCommerce, a leading boutique e-commerce and omnichannel consultancy. The critiques will be accompanied by personalized lists of action items to help entrepreneurs improve their websites.

General admission price is $189 per person. Special rates are available for Greater Fort Wayne Inc. investors and Allen County entrepreneurs. The PLUS Package, which includes a website critique, is priced at $250 per person. All packages include continental breakfast and lunch. eCom18 is sponsored by the Fort Wayne-Allen County Airport Authority and Greater Fort Wayne Inc. To learn more about the event, visit eCom18.net.

AAPEX 2017 Announces Speakers for Keynote Sessions

October 18, 2017 12:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–For the first time, AAPEX 2017 will offer daily keynote sessions with an expert lineup of speakers to keep attendees ahead of the curve on the future of the vehicle, buyer and shop. AAPEX represents the $740 billion global automotive aftermarket industry and will be held Tuesday, Oct. 31 through Thursday, Nov. 2, at the Sands Expo in Las Vegas.

The following keynote sessions will take place from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., at the Venetian Hotel, Palazzo Ballroom:

AAPEX is a trade-only event and is not open to the general public. Registration for approved and credentialed media is free and can be completed at www.aapexshow.com/bwmedia.

AAPEX will feature more than 2,200 exhibiting companies and nearly 50 AAPEXedu sessions. Approximately 158,000 automotive aftermarket professionals from more than 140 countries are projected to be in Las Vegas during AAPEX and the SEMA Show.

AAPEX is co-owned by the Auto Care Association and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the light vehicle aftermarket division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). For more information, visit www.aapexshow.com or e-mail: info@aapexshow.com. On social media, follow AAPEX at #AAPEX17.

FitForCommerce and Iterate.ai join forces to bring The Innovation Office to the digital retail industry

New York City, NY / Mountain View, CA, July 25, 2017 – FitForCommerce, a specialized digital consultancy based in New York City, and Iterate.ai, a practitioner of Open Innovation in the digital space based in Silicon Valley have partnered to bring the right innovations to brands and retailers, quickly and with minimal risk. Hundreds of startups and technology innovations are studied and catalogued, and “best fit” solutions are curated on a regular basis, based on the strategic roadmaps of the client brands and retailers.

The partnership leverages the “trusted advisor” role and knowledge of FitForCommerce consultants with the technology depth and acumen of Iterate.ai, creating a vehicle for discovering digital innovations, learning about emerging technology successes, reducing adoption risks, and accelerating the pace of retail progress.

“Every brand or retailer must find ways to keep current in today’s fast-changing environment. They must appeal to millennials, compete with Amazon’s $15 billion in annual R&D expenditures, and keep pace with global, omnichannel and pureplay competition. We are thrilled to be working with Iterate, through FitForCommerce’s The Innovation Office, helping retailers develop their growth strategies, sharing insights from the startup community, and providing a way to harness innovations, allowing our retail partners to lead and succeed,” said Cynthia Kounaris, Managing Director of The Innovation Office, FitForCommerce.
“Iterate’s platform and team continuously search for technologies that can enhance the many touchpoints along a variety of digital journeys defined by FitForCommerce. This combination of services provides a complete and scalable solution to addressing retailers’ and brands’ innovation needs,” said Brian Sathianathan, Iterate’s Chief Digital Officer, who worked six years as a leader inside Apple’s Secret Products Division and was a leader involved in producing and launching Apple’s first iPhone.

About FitForCommerce

FitForCommerce is a leading boutique consultancy that helps hundreds of online and multichannel brands and retailers make informed digital, ecommerce and omnichannel retail investment decisions. Leveraging years of experience, state-of-the-art tools, strategic diligence and tactical planning, FitForCommerce helps brands and retailers define strategies for growth, improve the customer experience, plan and hire the right organization, and find “best fit” technology solutions. The Innovation Office, powered by FitForCommerce, curates emerging technologies to help retailers keep up with and demystify innovation in the retail space. The NRF FitForCommerce Omnichannel Retail Index is the industry’s premier study and benchmark of key omnichannel capabilities across retail touchpoints to assess the customer experience.

About Iterate Studio

Located in Silicon Valley, Denver-Boulder, and NYC, Iterate Studio is a practitioner of Open Innovation in the digital space. Iterate discovers and curates emerging technologies, then implements proof-of-concept tests (a.k.a. proof-of-value tests) for its global client base. For large companies, this reduces time, costs and risks associated with analyzing and deploying innovative start-up technologies.

Episerver Unveils Complete Lineup for Ascend 2017

IRVINE, Calif., Jan. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Episerver, a leading provider of a single platform to smartly manage digital content, commerce and marketing in the cloud, today announced that Mel Robbins and The Passing Zone will complete the lineup of keynote speakers and performers, including Scott Hanselman of MicrosoftTM and Episerver’s James Norwood, at Episerver Ascend 2017.

The conference, which runs from February 26 to March 1, 2017 at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas TM, and is sponsored by global partner Microsoft and 25 other Episerver partners, will feature nearly 100 sessions across six comprehensive persona-based tracks, including hands-on labs, customer-led presentations, and product and industry expert discussions. With a focus on marketing, commerce and personalization, the conference’s program caters to business leaders, developers, digital marketers, content and commerce professionals at all levels.

Mel Robbins, a Gracie Award-winning television host, motivational speaker, author and on-air CNN commentator, completes the keynote lineup. She is known for creating “The 5 Second Rule” and for delivering the popular TEDx Talk “How to Stop Screwing Yourself Over.” Robbin’s’ keynote address, titled “The 5 Second Rule — Achieve Breakthrough Performance in Your Career and Life,” will explore the titular motivational concept she created and popularized, guiding attendees to act, defeat doubt and achieve their goals.

The company also revealed today that the Passing Zone, an American comedy-juggling duo comprising Jon Wee and Owen Morse, will perform, showcasing the power of partnership, innovation, collaboration and execution. The famous duo has appeared on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent” twice and on “Royal Variety Performance” where they performed for the British Royal Family. They have also performed at the White House.

Robbins and The Passing Zone complete a diverse keynote lineup including the already announced Scott Hanselman, principal program manager at Microsoft, who is one of Microsoft’s most popular bloggers and web developer personalities, and Episerver’s own James Norwood, chief marketing officer and executive vice president of strategy.

Additionally, the company announced the panelists for Tuesday’s “Customer, Partner and Analyst Q&A” will include Anjali Yakkundi, senior analyst for ebusiness and channel strategy at Forrester TM Research, and Bernardine Wu, founder and CEO of FitForCommerceTM, a consulting business that helps online retailers develop digital strategies and grow their e-commerce operations. The all woman panel builds on Episerver’s “Digital Ninety-Nines” campaign which features female leaders in digital innovation, and will be chaired by Episerver’s Head of Worldwide Marketing, Jessica Fardin.

“We are excited and honored to have such a talented, knowledgeable and inspirational group of speakers at this year’s event,” said James Norwood. “This year’s speakers truly embody the idea of personalized engagement at the core of the Ascend conference. No matter who you are — whether an executive, a developer, a content or commerce professional or a marketer — you are sure to walk away from this year’s conference not only more knowledgeable about digital strategy but also more inspired and more empowered to act.”

The conference kicks off on Sunday, February 26 with a comprehensive and expanded “Partner Day,” and a series of in-depth customer education and training sessions including:

Bernardine Wu, Founder and CEO of FitForCommerce – the leading specialty digital commerce consultancy that helps retailers and brands make informed digital, ecommerce and omnichannel retail investment decisions – was invited last week to share insights on omnichannel investments in the retail space to a group of investors by the Telsey Advisory Group, a leading research, trading, banking, and consulting brokerage firm focused on the consumer sector. The talk focused on the state of retail today and why investors need to understand the importance of omnichannel and digital capabilities for consumer and retail companies.

“Today’s hyper-connected shoppers expect to browse easily and seamlessly, and shop whenever, wherever, however, and with whomever they want. To remain competitive in this environment, retailers and brands must offer a superior experience throughout the entire customer journey,” explains Wu. “Some retailers and brands meet these customer demands by offering omnichannel capabilities, such as shared shopping carts across devices and buy-online-pick-up-in-store functionality, however many retailers struggle to meet customer expectations. Omnichannel success is often a factor of aggressive investment in marketing, technology and operations – and this is not an easy task as these programs are often outdated”.

Retailers struggling to meet customer expectations are also affected by other factors such as declines in store traffic and competition from online discount pricing and promotions. These factors can cause retailers to close or downsize their store footprint. But successful and growing retailers are leveraging and transforming their physical stores to offer a value-added experience while enabling each channel do what it does best. According to the NRF-FitForCommerce Omnichannel Retail Index, 86% of the benchmarked retailers offered shared cart between web and mobile sites to address the connected experience. In stores, 70% of retailers’ store associates offered to find an item online in another store, recognizing the importance of “save-a-sale”.

When evaluating the investment potential of a retail organization it is critical to understand how the organization is set up as a whole to succeed in today’s environment. Assessing the several dozen technologies a typical retailer uses is only a small fraction of the evaluation. The organization’s strategy should clearly define its digital plan, as the technologies are only tools used to support the strategy. With changes in consumer behavior the retail industry is shifting and changing quickly. Continued growth in online, mobile and social media use indicates that digital commerce has a solid footing in the retail industry today.

FitForCommerce (http://www.FitForCommerce.com) is the leading boutique ecommerce consultancy, helping hundreds of ecommerce and omnichannel businesses make informed investment decisions. Using years of experience, state-of-the-art tools, strategic diligence, and tactical planning, FitForCommerce facilitates retailers to define business and technical requirements to find their “best-fit” technology solutions, including ecommerce platforms, back-end systems and critical point solutions.

The NRF-FitForCommerce Omnichannel Retail Index is the industry’s premier study and benchmark of key omnichannel capabilities across retail touchpoints to assess the customer experience. The Innovation Office (http://theinnovationoffice.com/), powered by FitForCommerce, curates emerging technologies to help retailers keep up with and demystify innovation in the retail space.

FitForCommerce LLC, the leading boutique digital commerce consultancy that helps retailers and brands make informed digital, ecommerce and omnichannel retail investment decisions, announced today that it will be hosting The Innovation Theater at IRCE in Chicago, June 7-9, 2016 along with other activities designed to boost the value of the conference for attendees.

The Innovation Theater (FitForCommerce booth #1701) will feature curated 20-minute presentations by leading-edge technology providers throughout the conference. The jam-packed program covers a wide range of topics designed to help retailers stay on top of the latest and greatest in digital commerce, retail and omnichannel technologies.

The presenting companies range from startups to more established companies with new innovative solutions across video, social, payments and more. The presenting companies include Adyen, RetailOps, Radius8, PM Digital, commercetools, inRiver, Brandlive, Pay By Group, SweetIQ, TurnTo, Newgistics, VTEX and Circle Commerce.

Ecommerce Technology Workshop: For the 9th year in a row FitForCommerce will be hosting the all-day Ecommerce Technology Workshop with 7 sessions featuring speakers from Walgreens, Sur La Table, Walmart, L.L. Bean, VF Corp. and many more.

FitForCommerce 2016 Annual Report release: Based on the FitForCommerce 2016 Retail Executive Survey, in-depth interviews and insights from 100s of client engagements, the 2016 report focuses on ways that retailers can accelerate growth by expanding reach and deepening customer engagement.

Stop by the Innovation Theater and the FitForCommerce booth #1701 at IRCE to learn about new technologies and trends that are disrupting retail as we know it.

About FitForCommerce

FitForCommerce is a leading boutique consultancy that helps hundreds of online and multichannel brands and retailers make informed digital, ecommerce and omnichannel retail investment decisions. Leveraging years of experience, state-of-the-art tools, strategic diligence and tactical planning, FitForCommerce helps brands and retailers define strategies for growth, improve the customer experience, plan and hire the right organization, and find “best fit” technology solutions. eCommerceKnowHow.com, managed by FitForCommerce, is the ecommerce industry’s most comprehensive knowledge base and educational resource. The Innovation Office, powered by FitForCommerce, curates emerging technologies to help retailers keep up with and demystify innovation in the retail space. The NRF-FitForCommerce Omnichannel Retail Index is the industry’s premier study and benchmark of key omnichannel capabilities across retail touchpoints to assess the customer experience.

GoECart Achieves FitForCommerce Verification

BRIDGEPORT, CT (PRWEB) APRIL 08, 2016

GoECart, the leading provider of unified commerce solutions for merchants, announced today that it has completed the rigorous FitForCommerce (FFC) Verified Program. The company achieved the verification after a thorough review of its enterprise ecommerce platform met FFC’s stringent verification criteria.

A recognized industry leader, FFC conducts evaluations of ecommerce platforms, fulfillment services, interactive agencies, mobile services, PIM, and order management systems. FitForCommerce Verification or “FFC Verified” is a structured evaluation process by which a certified analyst reviews claims and proof points for pre-defined features and capabilities important to an ecommerce website and business. FFC verification is a recognized industry standard evaluation method.

GoECart provides a unified commerce suite that includes all of the technologies required for both B2B and B2C merchants to be successful across multiple channels. Ecommerce, POS, mobile, order management, inventory management, CRM, and end-to-end e-marketplace integration are all included in its enterprise commerce suite, GoECart 360. In addition, the company extends its platform by collaborating with a best-of-breed “Partner Ecosystem” that reads like a who’s who in ecommerce today.

“GoECart is committed to offering the most comprehensive ecommerce solutions that are affordable yet truly best of breed and enterprise grade,” said Manish Chowdhary, GoECart’s CEO. “The ‘FFC Verified’ certification is yet another testament to the tremendous quality and value GoECart provides its clients in delivering ecommerce capabilities that are best in class. FFC verification is an industry standard in ecommerce and we are proud that GoECart has successfully completed this exhaustive process.”

About GoECart

GoECart provides a complete commerce platform, GoECart 360, which enables emerging brands and established merchants to manage all aspects of unified commerce—from ecommerce, multi-channel order and inventory management, and in-store POS, to marketing, merchandising, e-marketplaces, fulfillment, and customer service. GoECart eliminates technology and integration hassles, allowing businesses to run better and grow faster. Additionally, GoECart’s cloud-based delivery model delivers on the rewards of software-as-a-service (SaaS). These include zero investment in infrastructure, no integration headaches, free upgrades, and affordable, pay-as-you-go pricing.

About FitForCommerce

FitForCommerce is a leading boutique consultancy that helps hundreds of online and multichannel brands and retailers make informed digital, ecommerce and omnichannel retail investment decisions. Leveraging years of experience, state-of-the-art tools, strategic diligence and tactical planning, FitForCommerce helps brands and retailers define strategies for growth, improve the customer experience, plan and hire the right organization, and find “best fit” technology solutions. eCommerceKnowHow.com, managed by FitForCommerce, is the ecommerce industry’s most comprehensive knowledge base and educational resource. The Innovation Office, powered by FitForCommerce, curates emerging technologies to help retailers keep up with and demystify innovation in the retail space. Learn more at FitForCommerce.com.

“As technology evolves and consumers adapt to new ways of shopping, retailers continue to optimize their in-store offerings and online presence to engage consumers at every corner of their retail experience,” NRF Senior Vice President and Shop.org Executive Director Vicki Cantrell said. “This report shows that retailers are taking major steps to integrate their in-store and digital operations and narrow the difference between the two. The growing omnichannel approach to retail gives consumers familiar consistency whether they are shopping on their phone, on a tablet or laptop, or in the actual store.”

“The second Omnichannel Retail Index study proves that retailers and brands are continuing to invest in their omnichannel offerings to meet customer expectations, especially in the mobile channel,” FitForCommerce CEO Bernardine Wu said. “This is validation that omnichannel best practices are becoming table stakes. It is critical that every retailer and brand understands today’s landscape and the direction the leaders are headed in to be competitive in today’s shopping experience.”

In December, FitForCommerce used a mystery shopping method to evaluate specific omnichannel offerings and capabilities across web and mobile sites as well as in-store, repeating the technique it used last August to create the initial index. The report examines 120 retailers’ use of omnichannel strategies such as buy online/pick up in store, real-time inventory availability and mobile-optimized websites.

KEY FINDINGS INCLUDE:

Mobile

86 percent of retailers in the index provide a shared shopping cart from mobile to desktop, up from 84 percent

77 percent offer mobile-optimized email, up from 55 percent

Key areas

28 percent offer buy online/pick up in-store, up more than 20 percent from the summer report

The National Retail Federation and e-digital consultancy FitForCommerce announced today the release of their first Omnichannel Retail Index, a report that examines 120 retailers across multiple categories and their use of omnichannel strategies across web, mobile and store, such as buy online pick up in store, real-time inventory availability and mobile optimized websites.

The report and partnership set the stage for future content, research and thought leadership opportunities. The next bi-annual index is slated to be released in 2016.

“In an increasingly competitive landscape, retailers are taking a truly customer-centric approach to running their business and developing innovative solutions to meet their customers’ expectations,” said NRF Senior Vice President and Shop.org Executive Director Vicki Cantrell. “The NRF-FitForCommerce Omnichannel Retail Index provides the industry an in-depth and practical method to benchmark their organization’s initiatives in the digital space against best practices from around the industry and all the methods that exist when it comes to how customers engage with brands across all touchpoints.”

“Brands and retailers need to or already are concentrating enormous resources on enabling the omnichannel customer, whether the brand or retailer calls it omnichannel or not,” said Bernardine Wu, CEO of FitForCommerce. “The NRF-FitForCommerce Omnichannel Retail Index is a guide for vetting business cases and prioritizing investments, especially because today’s innovations become tomorrow’s best practices, which become the next day’s table stakes.”

To adequately measure retailers’ use and delivery of these services across the industry, FitForCommerce in July 2015 used a mystery shopping method to evaluate specific omnichannel offerings and capabilities across web and mobile sites as well as in-store.

Some of the key findings in the report include:

Half of the bricks-and-mortar Index retailers show in-store product availability on their product detail pages;

Another half let customers look up in-store inventory on their mobile device;

23 percent offer buy online pick up in store options for their customers;

84 percent let registered customers see a bag or a cart that is consistent across different platforms;

NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and Internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. Retail is the nation’s largest private sector employer, supporting one in four U.S. jobs – 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.6 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy. NRF’s This is Retail campaign highlights the industry’s opportunities for life-long careers, how retailers strengthen communities, and the critical role that retail plays in driving innovation. NRF.com

FitForCommerce is a leading boutique consultancy that helps hundreds of online and multichannel brands and retailers make informed digital, ecommerce and omnichannel retail investment decisions. Leveraging years of experience, state-of-the-art tools, strategic diligence and tactical planning, FitForCommerce helps brands and retailers define strategies for growth, improve the customer experience, plan and hire the right organization, and find “best fit” technology solutions. eCommerceKnowHow.com, managed by FitForCommerce, is the ecommerce industry’s most comprehensive knowledge base and educational resource. The Innovation Office, powered by FitForCommerce, curates emerging technologies to help retailers keep up with and demystify innovation in the retail space. FitForCommerce.com

– See more at: https://nrf.com/media/press-releases/nrf-fitforcommerce-partner-provide-inaugural-omnichannel-retail-index#sthash.hZLGCx1T.dpuf

Short Hills, NJ (PRWEB) February 19, 2015 — FitForCommerce, the leading ecommerce and omnichannel boutique consultancy, a major industry annual report today. The FitForCommerce Annual Industry Report is a detailed report and survey focusing on the trends as seen by FitForCommerce in the prior year (2014), with forward-thinking commentary on where the industry is heading in the year ahead.

The battle to win customers and customer loyalty has never been more fierce and customers have never been more demanding. Every interaction along the shopping journey matters and every touch point is an opportunity to connect and engage with the customer in ways that matter to her. It is time to get personal.

“We have just started to realize how big this personalization opportunity can be…we are just seeing the tip of the iceberg,” states Milton Pappas, President eCommerce at Nine West Group. “There is a lot of work to do. The challenge is connecting systems and getting data. We would love to do more but we have taken the first steps…we are doing this work with the tools that we have and the small headcount that we have.”

When it comes to personalization, many retailers and brands struggle with where to start, what to prioritize and what solutions to leverage. Based on FitForCommerce’s unique position at the intersection between retailers, brands, technology providers and consumers, this inaugural report takes a “deep dive” into the current state and potential of online and offline personalization.

The report will shed light on how retailers and brands think about personalization and how they are prioritizing their efforts throughout the shopping journey in areas such as Marketing, Mobile, Social Media, Site Content, Product Delivery, Customer Service, Privacy and Security, and Big Data. This in-depth report consists of data from a comprehensive retailer survey, interviews with retail, brand and technology provider executives as well as first-hand experiences of FitForCommerce consultants, gained through client engagements.

New Report Examines Omnichannel Commerce Challenges Faced by Retailers and the Capabilities Required to Overcome Them

eCommerce consulting firm FitForCommerce, with support from Oxford Consulting Group, details the critical role of the order management system in meeting growing customer expectations.

Westerville, Ohio (PRWEB) April 01, 2014

Oxford Consulting Group today announced that it has released a white paper developed by the leading eCommerce consultancy, FitForCommerce, focused on addressing the challenges many retailers and brands face in meeting the growing expectations of today’s omnichannel shopper. The new white paper, entitled “Surviving Omnichannel Order Complexities: Why the Order Management System is Critical in Today’s Retail Environment,” was developed to help educate business and technology leaders about a critical, but often under-valued area of eCommerce: order management and fulfillment.

Retailers and brands face unprecedented challenges in meeting consumer expectations, along with competitive pressures from all corners. Consumers want to be able to shop and buy through multiple channels—online, on mobile devices, through catalogs and in-stores—and expect a smooth experience as they travel interchangeably between channels.

This adds new layers of operational challenges for companies; including the management of increasingly complex order flows, as well as the management of customer data, inventory levels, product information, fulfillment data, and more. Processing these complex orders can, in many cases, lead to poor customer experiences that have detrimental impact on revenue and customer loyalty.

The white paper takes a comprehensive look at these challenges, illustrates how many companies struggle to meet customer expectations through disjointed technologies and processes, and describes why a solid backend foundation for omnichannel retailing will significantly decrease problems.

In addition, the white paper reveals the most important order management capabilities required to execute complex orders, how each supports operations, and how they help to achieve the omnichannel experiences that most retailers and brands are striving for today. Furthermore, the document features a helpful checklist of the order management capabilities required for omnichannel success—whether a large enterprise or midmarket company.

“Omnichannel complexity is not only faced by the largest retailers, but by midmarket retailers as well,” said Lori Angalich, vice president of marketing at Oxford Consulting Group. “Consumers expect the same seamless shopping experiences and perfect fulfillment experiences from midmarket retailers as they do their larger competitors.

This white paper sheds light on the capabilities, technologies, and approaches midmarket companies can leverage to fulfill customer expectations, reduce complexity and level the playing field—while doing so cost-effectively.”

January 13, 2014 09:30 AM Eastern Standard Time
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–A new whitepaper from leading eCommerce and multichannel retail consulting firm FitForCommerce found that retailers who are quickly moving toward an omnichannel approach are placing a significant amount of effort on ensuring that their product information is accurate and consist across all touch points and channels. The paper titled PIM for Retailers: The Importance of Product Information Management in Omnichannel Retail discusses how consumers have assumed control of the buying process, resulting in extremely high expectations when it comes to the shopping experience.

“Consumers are faced with an enormous amount of choices when it comes to how, what, when and where they opt to shop”

To meet the demands of the hyper-connected and empowered consumer, retailers are rushing to establish additional sales and marketing channels to support their growing omnichannel strategy. However omnichannel strategies require more than simply adding additional channels. Delivering a superior shopping experience involves good product content that goes beyond simple product descriptions. The complimentary report’s distribution is sponsored by Stibo Systems, click here to view.

Highlights:

The creation and management of good product content is a large task and, omnichannel retailing requires that content is shared across all channels to ensure accuracy and consistency. Because of this competitive reality, retailers are constantly fighting to capture the attention of the fleeting consumer and convert them into loyal customers. Product Information Management (PIM) solutions help retailers collect, manage and share product information across all internal departments and with external partners and suppliers, creating a single, trusted source of product information across all relevant touch points.
Many retailers recognize that they lack effective management for sourcing, creating and managing product information. In order to overcome this challenge in the most effective and efficient way possible, a centralized product information management solution is recommended.
With a PIM solution, retailers have a centralized hub for sourcing, editing and managing data across the enterprise that, at the same time, ensures that accurate and consistent information is distributed across all relevant touch points. With this centralized repository in place, retailers are one step closer to providing the superior shopping experience required to attract customers and encourage loyalty.
Stibo Systems’ master data management solution STEP helps retailers develop the level of agility needed to improve operational profitability, increase customer satisfaction and reduce risk. Stibo’s solution delivers real-time, consistent and highly accurate operational information about products, suppliers and customers that allows retailers and online merchants to improve decision-making and provides a seamless, merchandising platform.
FitForCommerce Quote

“At FitForCommerce, we regularly work with retailers who are facing operational challenges because they did not sufficiently consider the infrastructure or backend foundation before launching an eCommerce channel,” said John Kinsella, EVP, FitForCommerce. “Product Information Management carries a lot of weight in omnichannel retailing. As consumers travel interchangeably between channels, consistent, accurate and timely product information instills the trust that is so critical to achieving long-term customer loyalty.”

PETALUMA, CA–(Marketwired – Aug 26, 2013) – MarketLive, the leading provider of eCommerce technology for high-growth merchants, today announced that consulting firm FitForCommerce has completed its evaluation of the MarketLive eCommerce Platform and confirmed that it merits ‘FFC Verified’ status. As a FFC Verified vendor, MarketLive will be considered when its eCommerce technology and strategy offerings are well fitted to merchants’ commerce needs. MarketLive is an ideal omni-channel commerce platform and services solution for high growth, innovative retailers looking to differentiate their brand and build customer revenue and loyalty.

The industry leading consultancy that sponsors the certification, FitForCommerce, helps retailers define business and technical requirements and find their “best fit” eCommerce solutions — including eCommerce platforms, back-end systems and critical point solutions, including mobile. The goal of FFC Verified is to establish a recognized industry-wide standard for evaluation, verification and certification for eCommerce solutions. Technology providers that have passed the FFC Verified evaluation process are able to differentiate themselves by using the Verified “seal” of approval. The official review of the MarketLive eCommerce Platform can be found here.

“Choosing the right eCommerce partner is a critical decision for online retailers, and we’re honored to know that our technology has been independently tested and has achieved FFC Verification,” said Mark Pierce, CEO of MarketLive.

“Customers and prospects can feel confident building their omni-channel retailing businesses on top of our eCommerce platform and back-end systems. We are pleased to achieve this validation of our eCommerce solution from an industry leader like FFC. In addition to the market-beating results seen by our customers, this helps prove that MarketLive is an unbeatable solution for retailers looking to grow and differentiate their brand.”

Jagged Peak to Co-host Webinar with FitForCommerce on the Keys to Succeeding in Omnichannel Retail

Tampa, FL (PRWEB) July 09, 2013

Jagged Peak, Inc. (OTC BB: JGPK), a leading provider of enterprise-class eCommerce solutions and supply chain services, announced today that it has teamed with eCommerce consulting firm, FitForCommerce, to co-sponsor a webinar on the key success factors for omnichannel retailing. The webinar is free, but requires registration.

Called “The Brains Behind Omnichannel Retailing: Uncovering the Real Omnichannel Challenges and Keys to Success,” the webinar will be held on July 18 from 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. EST. It will leverage key findings from a recent survey revealing that 69 percent of retailers don’t think their current systems are equipped to handle omnichannel requirements. The webinar will focus on the importance of the order management system and feature the experiences of fashion brand Vince Camuto as it looks to enter the realm of omnichannel retail.

The webinar expands on findings published earlier this year in a FitForCommerce white paper by the same name. It includes retailer survey results and provides recommendations for building the infrastructure and operations necessary for successful omnichannel retailing, including how the Order Management System (OMS) can make it easier for retailers to provide the operational links between retail channels that are necessary to gain visibility into orders, inventory and customer data across the entire retail enterprise and all of the extended fulfillment options afforded the omnichannel shopper.

“While it may not be the most glamorous piece of the equation, the OMS is arguably the most necessary enabling factor in omnichannel retailing,” says Jagged Peak CSMO Vince Fabrizzi. “It is the brain that controls this complex process—orchestrating multi-channel order capture and aggregation, while providing real-time inventory visibility across all stocking points, including warehouses, stores, drop shippers or elsewhere, to give the customer channel-neutral options for acquiring the products they purchase.”

Riversand Technologies, a worldwide provider of Product Information Management (PIM) and Master Data Management (MDM) solutions, announced today that it has partnered with Venda, the world’s largest on-demand ecommerce provider, to sponsor a Fit for Commerce white paper “From PO to Publishing: Innovating Product Content Onboarding and Optimization”.

This whitepaper, written by John Kinsella, Steve Jones and Paul Kasinski of FitForCommerce, explores:

The key to ensure effective workflow

How retailers can further streamline processes by implementing two key technologies: Product Information Management (PIM) solutions and Ecommerce Platforms (ECP)

Benefits of utilizing SaaS solutions to offload concerns regarding scaling while reducing the need for deep in-house IT skills

Product content lifecycle and how to evaluate the processes, people, and tools needed to create and leverage consistent product selling information across all channels

Jagged Peak to Exhibit at IRCE 2013 and Speak About the Importance of the OMS in ‘Omnichannel’ Retailing

Tampa, FL (PRWEB) May 31, 2013

Jagged Peak, Inc. (OTC BB: JGPK), a leading provider of enterprise-class eCommerce solutions and supply chain services announced today that it will be exhibiting in booth 1108 at the upcoming Internet Retailer Conference and Expo 2013 June 4 – 7 at the McCormick Center in Chicago.

Jagged Peak’s focus at the conference will be on the findings detailed in a just-released white paper called “The Brains Behind Omnichannel Retailing: Uncovering the Real Omnichannel Operational Challenges and Keys to Success,” published by leading eCommerce consulting firm FitForCommerce.

The white paper is based on retailer surveys and research conducted by FitForCommerce, and provides recommendations for building the infrastructure and operations necessary for successful omnichannel retailing. Jagged Peak will offer attendees free copies of the white paper and explain how the EDGE eCommerce platform and Order Management System (OMS) make it easier for retailers to provide the operational links between retail channels to gain visibility into inventory, orders and customer data across the entire retail enterprise and all of the extended fulfillment options afforded to the omnichannel shopper.

“Today’s always connected consumer has growing expectations for an integrated shopping experience regardless of where, how and when they shop,” says Jagged Peak CSMO Vince Fabrizzi. “One of the keys to solving the challenges around omnichannel retailing is a powerful eCommerce order management system that handles everything from order capture and processing, to cross-channel order routing―all the way through order fulfillment. The only way to ensure flawless execution across these junctures is to manage the process from end-to-end, which is exactly what our EDGE eCommerce platform does. We are excited to have this forum to explain how our solution is ideal for the fast-emerging omnichannel environment.”

SLI Systems and FitForCommerce Release New Study of How Retailers Can Leverage Advanced Site Search to Sometimes Remove Need for Re-platforming their eCommerce Sites

SAN JOSE, Calif., March 4, 2013 /PRNewswire/— SLI Systems (www.sli-systems.com) and FitForCommerce (www.fitforcommerce.com) today announced that the two companies have jointly published a new whitepaper outlining advanced site search strategies online retailers can take to reduce or altogether remove the need for a new eCommerce platform – typically a highly costly and complex initiative that can take millions of dollars and several months to years to complete.

State-of-the-art site search technology has advanced to the point of being able to handle a greater portion of the customer’s online experience and can now control key website functions that have traditionally been major factors in the decision to re-platform. With a robust, flexible site search solution in place, online retailers can positively impact conversion rates, average order values, and other key metrics, obviating the need to upgrade or switch platforms.

The study also highlights how mobile site search can be a saving grace for companies looking to enable a mobile shopping experience, by creating an integrated experience that enables better mobile browsing and prominent searching capabilities, which are often limited on mobile commerce platforms. The study is available as a free downloadable paper at www.sli-systems.com.

Dynamically updated merchandised landing pages and category assortment to reflect current product availability. An advanced search solution can be overlaid on an existing eCommerce platform, giving merchants easy-to-use graphical interfaces to create these pages without the involvement of the IT group.

The use of site search to drive much of the web experience, including navigation, search, merchandising, landing pages, and SEO efforts. When site search acts as the front-end of a web site companies can conduct merchandising and product presentations more efficiently – again, without the need to involve IT.

Multi-variant testing. Typically an area of limited capabilities for the underlying platform, this type of testing in site search shows different users different experiences and tests conversions and average order values to determine which approach is most effective.

The results of these implementations were significantly greater ROI, as well as major cost savings derived from no longer needing to re-platform their eCommerce and mobile commerce sites. SLI will showcase the findings in a webinar to be held on March 7, 2013, featuring IR 500 retailer Jelly Belly, and eCommerce consulting firm FitForCommerce, an SLI partner. For registration information, visit www.sli-systems.com.

Quotes
“We have enabled site search to power a b-to-b experience that is similar to our b-to-c shopping experience,” said Brandon Finch, director of eCommerce for Jelly Belly. “Many of our retail store purchasers are looking for a b-to-c style experience – including product taxonomy – but integrated into a purchasing structure appropriate for business users. Site search has allowed us to accomplish this, particularly for the thousands of mom and pop retailers out there that rely on us for their retail assortment.”

“We avoided spending a huge amount of time and money to enable a mobile experience,” said Victor Castro, VP eCommerce at Vermont Teddy Bear. “We had a mobile site up within a week by leveraging our search solution. Enabling transactions via mobile is a possible next step for us, but now we have our eyes open going into this and deeper pockets without having spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on an experiment (e.g. a commerce-enabled mobile web site).”

Kony Introduces New Version of Its Mobile Retail App at Shop.org

ORLANDO, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Kony Solutions, Inc., the leading mobile and multi-channel application platform provider, today introduced a new version of Kony Mobile Retail, a packaged mobile solution built on the company’s flagship KonyOne Platform. Kony will be demonstrating its new retail offering at Shop.org, a leading industry event that opens today in Denver, CO (Booth #753).

“Retailers must deliver the latest mobile services on the devices and browsers their customers use, while staying ahead of the technology curve”

Also at the Shop.org show, Kony’s Chief Mobile Officer, Sam Lakkundi will be participating in a “Masters of Mobile” panel discussion on the connection between retailers and consumers (Weds, 9/12 at 3:00 pm).

Kony Mobile Retail was designed for both online and brick-and-mortar retailers interested in reaching the broadest-possible consumer base. Kony’s retail customers include global retailers as well as mid-tier regional chain operators. Two retailers that recently selected Kony’s platform to power their mobile offerings include a leading retail and online jewelry store, and one of the U.S.’ fastest-growing convenience restaurant chains.

Kony Mobile Retail is a suite of pre-configured modules with extensive coverage of m-commerce functionality, and the only mobile commerce solution with complete support for smartphones, tablets, web browsers, and other mobile devices and technologies. Because Kony Mobile Retail is based on the versatile KonyOne Platform, retailers can easily extend and enhance the application, as well as address new channels. The latest version of Kony Mobile Retail includes the following capabilities:

Kony also announced it has received verification from the leading ecommerce consultancy FitForCommerce. FitForCommerce verification is a structured evaluation process through which a certified analyst reviews claims and proof points for pre-defined features and capabilities important to an ecommerce website and business. FFC Verification is a recognized industry standard evaluation method.

FitForCommerce recently released a Best Practices study of retailers who have cracked the mobile code and adopted a comprehensive mobile strategy to harness data and drive integrated customer experiences to grow revenue. To download the report, visit Staying Ahead of the Curve: A Look at Next-Generation Mobile Strategies Featuring Learnings from Early Adopters.

“Retailers must deliver the latest mobile services on the devices and browsers their customers use, while staying ahead of the technology curve,” said Bjorn Hildahl, VP of Product Management for Kony. “With Kony Mobile Retail, retailers have the best of both worlds – an off-the-shelf, mobile offering that is continuously updated to support new phones, tablets, and browsers via KonyOne, and the option to configure or even completely customize their applications with the features their customers want, avoiding ineffective ‘cookie cutter’ offerings. With this solution, retailers are empowered to no longer question which channels they can afford to support or be limited to supporting only mobile web.”

Social Media, eCommerce Platform Flexibility and Omni-Channel Commerce are Top Trends at IRCE 2012

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) June 12, 2012

For the fifth consecutive year, eCommerce consultancy FitForCommerce (http://www.FitForCommerce.com) lent its expertise to the annual Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition (IRCE), the largest eCommerce industry event of the year, which began June 6 in Chicago at McCormick Place West. As the company chosen to run the conference’s help desk, located at the epicenter of the exhibit hall, FitForCommerce is in a unique position to learn from both retailers and vendors about the hottest topics in eCommerce today.

Having discussed retailer concerns with over 1200 conference attendees, several trends emerged through throughout the week of events:

FitForCommerce consultants noticed a consistency in retailers wanting to understand and best manage omni-channel businesses. This includes understanding the true impact of web influenced sales on the retail stores channel, building a business case to convince senior management of the importance of marketing across channels, and effective ways to attribute demand across channels.

In addition to the proven necessity of diligent requirements gathering and vendor selection in eCommerce platform technologies, a new dimension has emerged: flexibility. Ecommerce platforms with flexibility such as open APIs, web services, and pre-integrations – even completely open source architectures – built into their underlying structure can enable retailers to avoid the constant time and money drain of re-platforming every two years, which over half of merchants are currently planning to do.

Retailers’ expectations around social are evolving. While the jury is out on ‘F-commerce’ – many retailers have dialed back or eliminated their efforts to actually sell on social sites – the importance of social platforms in the marketing and customer relationship management mix is undeniable. The realization now is there is much more effort and complexity associated with leveraging social than expected, and no proven formulas for success.

At the conference’s Help Desk, FitForCommerce also provided 38 single-page Best Practices and Key Questions primers across a variety of important eCommerce solution categories. The most popular Best Practices this year included Multi-channel, Site Search, SEM, SEO, Site Design /User Experience, Mobile and Social. Access to these Best Practices is available at http://www.eCommerceKnowHow.com.

Printouts of several FitForCommerce whitepapers on Mobile Commerce, Fulfillment, and Product Information Management also proved popular. All whitepapers are available for download at http://www.FitForCommerce.com.
On June 5, FitForCommerce founder and CEO Bernardine Wu moderated the day-long Technology Workshop on the topic of Previewing Cutting-Edge Technologies. The well-attended workshop featured 15 speakers presenting their perspectives on topics from content and asset management, to the engines behind marketing technologies. For a copy of these presentations, please email joliver(at)fitforcommerce(dot)com.

Often referred to as an eCommerce “life coach and matchmaker,” FitForCommerce helps eCommerce and multichannel business grow and connects them with best-fit eCommerce solutions and providers.

FitForCommerce Guides IRCE 2012 for Fifth Year

Chicago, Il (PRWEB) June 05, 2012

For the fifth consecutive year, eCommerce consultancy FitForCommerce (http://www.FitForCommerce.com) lends its expertise to the annual Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition, the largest eCommerce industry event of the year, which begins today in Chicago at McCormick Place. IRCE has once again chosen FitForCommerce to run the conference’s help desk, located at the epicenter of the exhibit hall, leveraging FitForCommerce’s business model of helping eCommerce companies figure out what they need and where to find it. At IRCE, FitForCommerce provides free one-on-one consultations, advises retailers on strategy, and then directs them to the best-fit providers that are exhibiting at the show.

Kathy Milette, internet manager at RG Barry (http://www.Dearfoams.com), a leading developer and marketer of fashion brands and accessories, said, “When I was looking for a new eCommerce solution, FitForCommerce helped me articulate my technology needs and then pointed me in the right direction of vendors who could help fulfill those needs. They really ‘get’ the eCommerce world and all the players in it, and are an invaluable resource for people who need a little guidance as they’re navigating this massive conference.”

Drawing upon its experience advising hundreds of online and multichannel retailers and eCommerce technology providers, FitForCommerce will offer guidance to all show attendees through a variety of formats, including:

eCommerce Technology Workshop – For the third year in a row, FitForCommerce CEO and founder Bernardine Wu who conceived and developed the all-day eCommerce Technology Workshop will lead the full-day 8-session workshop on June 6th focused on “Previewing Cutting Edge Technologies”, with panelists from companies such as Bluefly Inc., Michaels Stores Inc. and Cornerstone Brands. Turnout is expected to exceed last year’s sold-out workshop with close to a thousand attendees.

Exhibit Hall Retailer Help Desk – Attendees can stop in at the central help desk for help in finding solutions, seeking eCommerce advice from FitForCommerce analysts, meeting peers. Additionally, category-specific maps of the 500+ exhibitor hall have been created to better help attendees focus on particular solution types.

Best Practices Checklists – Attendees who stop by the Help Desk can pick up a checklist of best practices and a list of key questions to ask providers to help during a technology selection process. There are almost 40 topics from social media and mobile commerce, to order management and analytics.

Personalized Information Packets – FitForCommerce will provide customized information packets to more than 300 attendees who registered for help prior to the show. Each packet will include helpful information tailored specifically to each attendee’s needs.

eCommerce Technology Theater – The Exhibit Hall will be home to the E-Commerce Technology Theater, where major solution providers will host 30-minute informational sessions on a variety of eCommerce topics. FitForCommerce senior consultant Jay Holan takes on the role of emcee for this year’s E-Commerce Technology Theater.

Women eCommerce Execs – For the fifth year since its inception, FitForCommerce will co-sponsor a casual meet-up for members of the non-profit organization during the conference’s opening day cocktail reception.

Often referred to as an eCommerce “life coach and matchmaker”, FitForCommerce helps eCommerce and multichannel business grow and connects them with best-fit eCommerce solutions and providers. IRCE attendees can also visit FitForCommerce at booth #1205 to consult with a team of eCommerce experts and learn more.

CTS PLATFORM Obtains Verified Status from FitForCommerce

May 17, 2012 10:07 AM Eastern Daylight Time

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Commerce Technology Solutions (CTS), a leader in digital commerce, today announced that its CTS Platform has been verified by leading e-commerce consultancy FitForCommerce. The FitForCommerce Verification is a prestigious and important accreditation in the commerce industry.

“We understand that selecting the right e-commerce platform is one of the most significant business decisions a brand needs to make”

“FCC Verified”’ status is awarded to commerce technology providers after completing a comprehensive evaluation process during which a certified analyst reviews claims and proof points for over 100 features and capabilities.

“We understand that selecting the right e-commerce platform is one of the most significant business decisions a brand needs to make,” said Bernadine Wu, Chief Executive Officer for FitForCommerce.” It is with this in mind that we set the bar very high for technology providers to achieve FitForCommerce Verification status. We are very pleased to welcome CTS Platform to the FFC list of accredited commerce solution providers.”

Allen Kung, Chief Executive Officer, CTS stated, “We are excited to receive FCC Verification and are extremely proud of this achievement. To be named a “FCC Verified” commerce provider is a testament to the comprehensive solution provided by our technology platform. CTS Platform is a fundamentally game-changing solution that enables global retailers and businesses to deliver innovative, highly-connected customer brand experiences. Now that CTS is ‘FCC Verified’ we look forward to partnering with new clients to move them forward in this rapidly-changing commerce environment.”

E-commerce software developer Ability Commerce announced today that Bernardine Wu, founder and CEO of e-commerce consulting firm FitForCommerce, will be the Keynote Speaker for the 2012 Ability Commerce Summit. Wu’s address, titled “The Importance of Being a Cross Channel Retailer,” will kick off day two of the three-day event in Delray Beach, FL later this month.

Wu will discuss current cross-channel trends in e-commerce software, including key factors retailer should consider when planning their overall strategy, from front-end user experience to the back-office and operations.

“In today’s retail industry, a cross-channel presence is a necessity,” said Wu.” “It’s difficult to argue with the benefits of visibility across platforms; the problem is that many businesses aren’t implementing the best plan to get results.”

Wu founded FitForCommerce after spending years helping e-retailers reach operational and strategic success through re-launching websites and increasing online sales. Her team of experts is equipped to assist clients with e-commerce and cross-channel strategy, organizational structure, implementation training, vendor selection and mobile commerce execution. Bernardine is a frequent contributor to leading e-commerce industry resources including Internet Retailer, Shop.org and Mobile Shopping Summit.

“We’re thrilled to have Bernardine give this year’s keynote address,” Diane Buzzeo, CEO of Ability Commerce, said. “With decades of experience in both business and ecommerce, she has a wealth of industry knowledge to share. All Summit attendees, no matter what type of retailer they are, have much to learn from Bernardine’s talk.”

The 2012 Ability Commerce Summit takes place March 21-23, 2012.The Summit offers sessions and workshops in two tracks: Web Marketing and Merchandising and Financial and Technical Training. All of the seminars are designed to help ecommerce retailers grow their business, learn from professionals and network with industry colleagues.

“We are committed to offering a best-of-breed solution to our clients,” said Marsha Chulick, Vice President, Business Development at Innotrac. “Third-party validations like ‘FFC Verified’ and ‘ISO’ are important certifications that provide unbiased analysis of a provider’s capabilities. The FitForCommerce verification has become an industry standard in eCommerce technology and we are proud that Innotrac has successfully completed this process.”

“The goal of the FFC Verified program is to set industry standards that help retailers in their selection of eCommerce providers,” said Marc Appana, CIO & SVP, of Consulting at FitForCommerce. “Fulfillment and customer care are critical components of a successful eCommerce business. Providers like Innotrac that are FFC Verified, further prove their dedication to their clients and the industry.”

Detailed descriptions of Innotrac’s FFC Verified capabilities are available on eCommerceKnowHow.com.

Nox Enterprise Commerce is Fit For Commerce Certified

Nox Enterprise Commerce, known for building and operating websites for leading brands and broadcasters, has completed the FitForCommerce verification program.

“We are committed to our clients and meeting FFC standards was an important step for the company,” said Payam Zarabi, CEO of Nox Solutions. “We are proud that Nox Solutions has successfully completed this process.”

FitForCommerce has established itself as the leading boutique ecommerce consultancy by helping hundreds of online and multichannel retailers and manufacturers make informed ecommerce investment decisions. Using years of experience, state-of-the-art tools, strategic diligence and tactical planning, FitForCommerce helps retailers define business and technical requirements and find their “best fit” technology solutions, which includes ecommerce platforms, back-end systems and critical points solutions such as mobile. eCommerceKnowHow.com, managed by FitForCommerce, is the eCommerce industry’s most comprehensive knowledge base and educational resource. FFC Verification is a structured evaluation process for eCommerce provider solutions.

– See more at: http://noxenterprisecommerce.com/b/Nox-Enterprise-Commerce-is-Fit-For-Commerce-Certified/-255040862020247486.html#sthash.58qZJyCO.dpuf

FitForCommerce Anchors Shop.org Annual Summit EXPO Hall

Boston, MA (PRWEB) September 12, 2011

FitForCommerce (http://www.fitforcommerce.com), a leading consultancy and analyst firm focused exclusively on the eCommerce/Multichannel technology industry, was chosen by Shop.org, a division of NRF, to power the on-site EXPO Hall Tour & Info Desk. With 230 eCommerce solution exhibitors in attendance, FitForCommerce consultants are prepared to help attendees navigate the solution hall with a variety of programs – offering insight, knowledge, and guidance to find the best-fit solutions for a range of common eCommerce needs.

Tour & Info Desk – Located at the entry to the EXPO Hall, attendees can ask advice and direction on finding ‘best fit’ solutions for a range of common eCommerce needs and thereby optimize their time in the hall.

“Trip Tix” – For those who want to ‘go it alone’, info packets that can be ordered for on-site pickup on over 30 eCommerce and multichannel topics/categories. Each packet includes a:
Best Practices Checklist
Key Questions to Ask Providers Checklist
Map of Exhibitors based infor that topic/category
Company Profiles of each exhibitor in the relevant category

“The Doctor is In” – One of FFC’s senior consultants will be providing live, on-site web consultations to help attendees diagnose potential issues and provide recommendations for alternative eCommerce solutions.

“Shop.org Summit’s EXPO Hall Help Desk is a key part of our mission to be a resource for the online retailing community,” said Mark Bogdansky, Sr. Director of Exhibit Services for Shop.org. “As the experts behind the Help Desk, FitForCommerce’s advice and educational materials, from 1:1 consultations to finding the best-fit solutions for their specific needs, allow attendees to make the most of their time.”

“Given the vast EXPO floor this year, our 1:1 Consultations and White Glove Tours will allow our well-versed team of consultants to provide in-depth advice and introduce attendees to the vendors that would best suit their needs,” said Bernardine Wu, FitForCommerce’s Founder/CEO and the newest board member of Shop.org. “Our goal is to make successful introductions and help attendees learn everything the Summit has to offer this year.”

FitForCommerce Guides IRCE 2011 for Fourth Year

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) June 13, 2011

For the fourth year running, eCommerce consultancy FitForCommerce (http://www.fitforcommerce.com) extends its track record of lending expertise to the annual Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition, the largest eCommerce industry event of the year, which begins today in San Diego. IRCE has once again chosen FitForCommerce to run the conference’s help desk, located at the epicenter of the exhibit hall, leveraging FitForCommerce’s business model of helping eCommerce companies ‘figure out what they need and where to find it’. At IRCE, FitForCommerce provides free one-on-one consultations, advises retailers on strategy, and then directs them to the best-fit providers exhibiting at the show.

“I credit FitForCommerce with helping make my IRCE experience more than worthwhile. The sessions at the eCommerce Technology workshop were extremely insightful,” said Adam Golomb, Director of eCommerce at Smileycookie.com (http://www.smileycookie.com) after last year’s conference. “They really covered a broad spectrum of strategies and technologies, and provided useful advice relevant to businesses of any size. In addition, my interactions with FitForCommerce at the help desk proved critical in helping me clearly define my goals and strategies for developing my eCommerce business.”

Drawing upon its experience advising hundreds of online retailers and eCommerce providers, FitForCommerce will offer guidance to all show attendees through a variety of formats, including:

eCommerce Technology Workshop – For the second year in a row, FitForCommerce CEO and founder Bernardine Wu conceived and developed the all-day eCommerce Technology Workshop with 7 speaking sessions; attendance is expected to surpass last year’s sold-out numbers in the hundreds.

Evolving eCommerce Technologies – Ms. Wu will share emerging market trends and examine how each component fits together to build a full technology portfolio.

Key Session Speakers – FitForCommerce helped to develop the content and speaker line-up for the conference.

Best Practices Checklists – For over 30 eCommerce and multichannel topics, attendees can pick up a checklist of best practices and a list of key questions to ask providers to help in a selection process.

Personalized Information Packets – FitForCommerce will provide customized information packets to over 300 attendees who registered for help prior to the show. Each packet will include helpful information tailored specifically to each attendee’s needs.

E-Commerce Technology Theater – Senior consultant Kerry Martin takes the helm at this new two-and-a-half day event to be held within the Exhibit Hall. By presenting a large selection of available technology solutions, the Technology Theater will give attendees valuable learning opportunities.

Women eCommerce Execs – For the fourth year since its inception, FitForCommerce will co-sponsor a casual meet-up for members of the non-profit organization, Women eCommerce Execs, during the conference’s box lunch.

Often referred to as an eCommerce “life coach and matchmaker”, FitForCommerce connects online retailers with best-fit eCommerce technology solutions and providers based on a rigorous requirements and selection process. IRCE attendees can also visit FitForCommerce at booth #611 to consult with a team of eCommerce experts and learn more about their offerings.

ShopVisible Achieves Verified Status from FitForCommerce

February 28, 2011 09:00 AM Eastern Standard Time

ATLANTA–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ShopVisible, a leading provider of on-demand ecommerce solutions, announced today its recent industry accolade of “Verified” status for its ecommerce platform solution, given by FitForCommerce, a recognized leader in ecommerce consulting. This is the first year that FitForCommerce has made the certification available to platform providers and ShopVisible is proud to be one of the first platforms to complete the verification process.

“At ShopVisible, we understand that retailers have many options when it comes to choosing an ecommerce platform provider”

As part of its long term platform development strategy, ShopVisible has recently completed the comprehensive assessment and verification of its on-demand ecommerce platform with FitForCommerce. FitForCommerce Verification, or “FFC Verified,” is a structured evaluation process by which FFC consultants review claims and proof points for hundreds of pre-defined features and capabilities important to an ecommerce website and online business. FFC Verification has recently become widely recognized as an industry-leading evaluation method for ecommerce technology.

“At ShopVisible, we understand that retailers have many options when it comes to choosing an ecommerce platform provider,” said Sean Cook the CEO of ShopVisible. “We’re confident that our cutting-edge features and continuous innovation keeps us ahead of the competition and are thrilled to have the third-party validation from the industry experts at FitForCommerce. As noted leaders in ecommerce consulting, their independent assessment makes our “FFC Verified” status an honest testament and important validation of our platform’s ability to exceed the needs of existing and potential customers.”

“Online merchants are well aware of the importance of getting their ecommerce technology selections right, but the complexity of the solutions and the many options available make the selection process even more challenging,” said Bernardine Wu, CEO of FitForCommerce. “With FitForCommerce’s verification of feature level capabilities and proof points, online merchants can be confident when evaluating ShopVisible’s solution.”

Finding the right partner and technology is critical to ensuring the success of any ecommerce initiative. Independent validation from organizations like FitForCommerce helps to mitigate the potential risks by providing a solid, rigorous review and testing of the claims made by solution providers.

Research and Markets: Mobile Web: Best Practices for Retailers

February 17, 2011 09:06 AM Eastern Standard Time

DUBLIN–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/c48690/mobile_web_best_p) has announced the addition of eMarketer’s new report “Mobile Web: Best Practices for Retailers” to their offering.

As they seek to drive sales via the mobile channel, retailers need to develop strategies and initiatives that address each stage of the consumer purchase funnel awareness, engagement, consideration, conversion and loyalty. Many retailers have turned to fully enabled mobile sites in order to best exploit the channel.

Forward-thinking retailers are devising mobile strategies to address each stage in the consumer purchase funnel awareness, engagement, consideration, conversion and loyalty. Retailers are using diverse tactics like text alerts and coupons as well as making product ratings and reviews, store locators, barcode scans, QR codes, location-based apps and social media feeds available to help facilitate each stage of the consumers mobile experience.

The surge in mobile shopping is driven largely by the increasing penetration of smartphones. eMarketer estimates that, as of December 2010, 26% of US mobile phone owners were smartphone users. Retailers that want to remain relevant to consumers no matter how, when or where they shop need to develop a mobile strategy that finds creative ways to interact with shoppers while also ensuring that a consumers mobile shopping experience is as seamless as shopping online.

Savvy retailers will also work hard to integrate social media and location-based apps with mobile tactics to aid consumer decision-making. Providing access to social feeds, networks and location-based apps aids shoppers in the engagement and consideration phases and engenders loyalty by offering consumers helpful resources that will encourage them to return for more shopping.

The American Diabetes Association tapped FitForCommerce (http://www.fitforcommerce.com) to help them find a best-fit eCommerce partner that could effectively and efficiently re-platform their eCommerce efforts. Using their eCommerce Diligence™ process to identify the American Diabetes Association’s unique needs, FitForCommerce matched them with OrderDynamics, who proved an ideal partner.

As an organization that provides education about diabetes, funds diabetes efforts, and sells a number of diabetes-related items, the American Diabetes Association was not only looking for a capable eCommerce platform, but also was looking to raise both awareness and donations online.

“As an organization trying to do a number of different things online, we had some unique goals that needed to be met,” said Brian Waller, American Diabetes Association’s Director of Applications Solutions. “FitForCommerce brought expertise and insight into our selection process that we would not otherwise have had, and that led to a successful relationship with OrderDynamics.”

FitForCommerce Senior Consultant Jill Dvorak, who led the American Diabetes Association project, took a comprehensive approach to understanding the technical needs and the culture and driving forces behind the client.
“The American Diabetes Association was looking for some requirements that traditional retailers usually don’t,” says Dvorak. “One of their most important considerations was having a donation capability at check-out that would round purchases up. For example, if a customer spent $40, the American Diabetes Association wanted a feature that would let the customer make an additional donation, of say $10, to make a total purchase of $50.”

Dvorak guided the American Diabetes Association through a detailed requirements gathering and systematic vendor selection process, resulting in the selection of OrderDynamics. Their out-of-the-box technology was an almost perfect match for the American Diabetes Association’s needs and budget. On top of that, OrderDynamics exhibited an understanding of the American Diabetes Foundation mission and there was a natural culture fit.

“This highly successful re-launch of the ADA’s flagship eCommerce website really underscores the benefit of expert requirements management,” explains Michael Turcsanyi, President of OrderDynamics. “By investing in the FFC process, ADA was able to re-launch with everything they expected and on time for Diabetes Month”.

“By helping us indentify what we truly needed and then identify a perfect business partner, FitForCommerce made this project much clearer, easier and more successful,” says ADA’s Waller. “We are now at a point where our eCommerce solutions are where we want them to be.”

OrderDynamics Achieves Verified Status from FitForCommerce

November 9, 2010

As part of their long term platform development strategy, OrderDynamics has recently completed a comprehensive assessment and verification of its On-Demand eCommerce Platform with FitForCommerce. FitForCommerce Verification, or “FFC Verified”, is a structured evaluation process by which a certified analyst reviews claims and proof points for over a hundred pre-defined features and capabilities important to an eCommerce website and online business. FFC Verification has recently become a widely recognized industry standard evaluation method for eCommerce technology. This is the first year FitForCommerce has made the certification available to platform providers and OrderDynamics is one of the first platforms to complete verification process.

“FitForCommerce provides the only comprehensive benchmark for the delivery of online retailing technologies. The verification process delivers Client value through transparency and access to technology that continuously meets the latest industry standards” explains Michael Turcsanyi, VP Sales and Marketing at OrderDynamics. “We are thrilled about the program and excited to be one of the first mid-market eCommerce platforms to achieve this status” continues Turcsanyi.

“The process of selecting an eCommerce platform and moving a high-volume website is a complex undertaking for many online retailers.” explains Bernardine Wu, CEO of FitForCommerce. “FFC Verified helps retailers by giving them the comfort that the technology they’re considering has been vetted by an accredited third party, and more specifically rates the completeness of each feature at a detailed level.”

By achieving and maintaining FFC Verified status each year, OrderDynamics clients also benefit from any new features and enhancements needed to meet the latest eCommerce best practices.

Shop.org and FitForCommerce Lead Retailers to Best-Fit Solutions at Annual Summit

Short Hills, NJ (PRWEB) October 5, 2009

For the second year, FitForCommerce powered the Expo Hall Group Tours at a successful Shop.org Annual Summit, and added personalized one-on-one consultations for attendees needing to assess their ecommerce technologies and find potential solutions.

FitForCommerce organized 23 tours covering 18 topics, ranging from online marketing and merchandising to ecommerce platforms and order managements systems to mobile commerce and social media. FitForCommerce analysts first briefed attendees on key trends, best practices, and solutions, including specific potential pitfalls, benchmarking stats and visual best practice examples. Attendees were then escorted to each relevant exhibitor to hear a brief pitch.

“If it weren’t for FitForCommerce, I would have wasted so much time wandering the Expo Hall and possibly wasting a lot of money making wrong provider decisions,” said Nathan Nguyen, President of InstrumentalSavings.com. “It’s priceless to have unbiased friends like them on your side.”

The most popular tours, Search Engine Marketing, Affiliate Marketing, and Promotions & Loyalty Programs, focused on ways retailers could increase traffic, conversions, and repeat customers. Social Media and Mobile Commerce also captured the attention of retailers looking to leverage iPhone, Facebook and Twitter, among other channels.

“White Glove Tours,” which offered in-depth, one-on-one consultations, were also leveraged by many attendees. “The consultation and tour by FitForCommerce really helped me narrow down my choices based on what I was looking for and what I needed,” said Angela Cho, Marketing & Ecommerce Manager of Agacistore.com. “They provided me with insightful insider information that I wouldn’t have been able to get on my own and helped diagnose the issues and identify multiple solutions.”

“Shop.org was proud to offer this unique assistance to attendees to maximize their time and experience at the conference. The tours also help bring interested attendees to the right companies who invested time and effort in exhibiting,” said Scott Silverman, Executive Director of Shop.org. “We’re thrilled with the customer satisfaction driven by the tours and FitForCommerce team and look forward to enhancing the experience even more next year.”

First Ever ‘Women In Ecommerce’ Workshop an Unrivaled Success

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) June 30, 2010

The first ever Women In Ecommerce workshop and dinner on June 10th , sponsored by FitForCommerce and Internet Retailer, was sold out and exceeded the expectations of all who attended. Almost 100 paid attendees gathered to discuss challenges and contributions of women in ecommerce, participate in roundtables discussions, and hear keynote addresses by Bernardine Wu, CEO of FitForCommerce, and Mary Wagner, Senior Editor at Internet Retailer.

Highlights included:
A pre-workshop survey showing “79% of women in ecommerce surveyed felt that work-life balance is viewed as a woman’s struggle; only 14% have NOT encountered gender issues at work, and yet 71% say there are no efforts to address diversity issues in their companies,” shared Bernardine Wu, CEO of FitForCommerce.

Shirley Tan, Director of E-Commerce at American Bridal, emphasized that women should not view other women as competitors. “Women must share and mentor,” said Ms. Tan, “and build strong networks inside and outside your organization.”

Asked to address her generational perspective, Esther Steinfeld, Marketing Manager at Blinds.com, echoed the need for networks, saying she “struggled in silence” her first year. She also expressed concern that “the number of women pursuing careers in technology is actually on the decline.”

“With 85% of household expenditures made by women, women are a powerful shopping and decision-making force,” pointed out industry veteran, Susan Aplin, CEO of Bambeco. “It makes good business sense to have women on your work team.”

Citing a Women’s Wear Daily study showing that only 23.8% of board seats of 17 beauty, fashion and retail companies are held by women, Andrea Gulli, VP of E-Commerce at New York & Company, said “even in an industry that is largely by women and for women, there is still significant opportunity for improvement.”

“With an over-subscribed event and 100% rating the speakers and content helpful, we were thrilled at the outcome,” said Cynthia Kounaris, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Women In Ecommerce. “We are excited to continue building on this mandate and this momentum, working with the many women who have volunteered, to take this organization forward.”

FitForCommerce Helps Fuel IRCE 2010

Short Hills, NJ (PRWEB) June 19, 2010

Those attending the Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition (IRCE) in Chicago last week would have been hard pressed to not notice the significant contributions FitForCommerce (http://www.fitforcommerce.com) made to the tradeshow’s overwhelming success.

Aiming to provide attendees with the valuable, unbiased industry insight of the space’s leading consultancy, FitForCommerce was once again chosen by IRCE to run the conference’s help desk, located at the epicenter of the Exhibit Hall. There, for the third year in a row, they answered attendees’ eCommerce questions, provided free one-on-one consultations, helped retailers determine which solutions to consider, and then pointed them to the best-fit solution providers exhibiting at the show.

“FitForCommerce provided me with exactly what I was looking for at IRCE,” said Chris Johnson, Vice President of Pegasus Associates Lighting (http://www.pegasusassociates.com). “The workshop was useful, thoughtful, and included specific, actionable advice. Moreover, my consultations with their analysts helped me strengthen my thinking and formulate clear objectives for my eCommerce planning.”

Other notable FitForCommerce accomplishments and activities at IRCE included:

eCommerce Guide to the Galaxy—Ms. Wu shared emerging market trends and examined how each component relates to the full technology portfolio of the retailer or manufacturer during her presentation, “eCommerce Guide to the Galaxy.”

eCommerce Technology Track—Ms. Wu also led five sessions and facilitated the enriching discussion at the conference’s eCommerce Technology Track.

Personalized Information Packets— FitForCommerce provided customized information packets to more than 250 attendees who registered for help prior to the show. By requesting the custom packets in advance, attendees were able to maximize their time at the conference.

Women in eCommerce – FitForCommerce co-sponsored the first ever Women in eCommerce workshop and dinner, which included speakers and roundtable discussions on how women can contribute to and succeed in the eCommerce industry.

Video Co-Host – Looking for an informative and authoritative co-host, Internet Retailer CEO and Publisher Jack Love tapped Ms. Wu to help provide expertise into trends, vendors and the show’s latest happenings for the conference’s official video production.

FitForCommerce Proclaims “The eCommerce Technology Market is Back”

Short Hills, NJ (PRWEB) June 8, 2010

As the leading consultancy and analyst firm focused exclusively on the eCommerce industry, FitForCommerce (http://www.fitforcommerce.com) is officially advising online retailers and providers alike that the market for eCommerce technology investment is back.

Often referred to as an eCommerce “matchmaker,” FitForCommerce connects online retailers with best-fit eCommerce technology solutions and providers based on a rigorous requirements and selection process.

“Operating at the intersection of what one-half of the market needs and what the other half can provide, FitForCommerce possesses a unique vantage on eCommerce investment and selection,” said Bernardine Wu, FitForCommerce’s Founder and CEO. “And from everything we’re seeing, all indications point to a strong recovery and growth trajectory, which began in the first quarter of 2010 and only continues to scale up.”

FitForCommerce, in dealing with hundreds of online retailers and eCommerce providers, suggests it is seeing a preponderance of evidence to support its view:
•High Inbound Requests—A 196% increase (last six months versus prior six months) in inbound inquiries to FitForCommerce from all eCommerce segments by current and potential clients requesting assistance shows a high interest in making imminent upgrades and significant purchasing decisions.
•Broader Purchasing Interest—Increasingly, FitForCommerce has observed that online retailers are evaluating and budgeting for a wider array of upgrades, enhancements and new solutions. Last year the majority minimized investing to only one or two (if any). Key investment areas include complete re-platforming, order management systems, fulfillment/operations outsourcing, personalization, social networking and mobile.
•Increased Job Opportunities and Hiring Activity—FitForCommerce has seen a 3x increase year-over-year in eCommerce job openings at all levels amongst the companies with which it works; this can be viewed as a harbinger of additional technology spending to come. Additionally, companies are focusing on organizational reengineering to put in place the human infrastructure for growth.
•Investment and M&A—FitForCommerce is increasingly being sought out by the investment community looking for guidance on M&A and potential investments, showing there is growing liquidity in the sector. Generally, these investors are looking for strategic, growth-oriented purchases instead of the low-budget, distressed purchases of 2009.

“There has been so much pent-up demand over the last 18 months across the industry – companies trying to preserve cash and holding back on purchases until they saw light at the end of the tunnel,” added Ms. Wu, one of the foremost authorities on eCommerce. “Many are now using this juncture as an opportunity to begin leapfrogging their competition – but to do so requires strategic decisions, hiring, purchases and improvements.”

Ms. Wu conceived and developed the sold-out eCommerce Technology Workshop at this week’s Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition (IRCE) in Chicago, where for the third year in a row, FitForCommerce has been selected to operate the IRCE Exhibit Hall Navigation Desk on behalf of the show’s organizer – Internet Retailer.

FitForCommerce, a leading e-commerce consulting firm, together with Lyons Consulting Group, an e-commerce design and integration firm, offered retailers actionable advice on defining business and technical requirements and assessing e-commerce providers and their solutions. During the live webinar, Jamie Kail, Director of eCommerce Services at Lyons, shared lessons learned in selecting, implementing and supporting e-commerce solutions. Bernardine Wu, FitForCommerce’s Founder and CEO, presented an “E-commerce Diligence” methodology and specific ways to avoid costly mistakes in platform selection.

Polls conducted during the webinar yielded some interesting results:
50% of the respondents are looking to replace their e-commerce platform within the next 12 months, 4% in next 12-24 months, 4% in greater than 24 months and 43% are not looking to replace their platform in the near future.
Reasons for re-platforming included: lack of innovation/flexibility (48%), outgrown the technology (24%), dissatisfaction with support (14%), slow to upgrade (10%) and too expensive (5%).
Of those who are re-platforming, 36% are considering an on-demand solution, 21% a licensed, 14% an open-source, 7% are going with in-house development, and 21% are uncertain as to what approach to take.

“The high percentage of retailers re-platforming set against one-in-five of them being uncertain of their approach means that there is both opportunity and confusion in the marketplace,” said Bernardine Wu. “Our extensive work helping online and multichannel retailers make informed decisions has shown us that a rigorous and structured process of requirements diligence is necessary before even beginning the vendor selection process.”

Also discussed were comparative characteristics, myths and best practices for in-house developed e-commerce platforms vs. licensed vs. on-demand (SaaS/ASP) vs. open source.

“Of the retailers considering a new platform, a full 50% of them are looking at on-demand or open source options,” said Rich Lyons, President of Lyons Consulting Group. “This speaks to the market’s ongoing maturity and the growing demand for more flexible, innovative, and budget-friendly platform solutions.”

FitForCommerce Unveils FitBase and Partners with The E-tailing Group

Short Hills, NJ (PRWEB) June 15, 2009

FitForCommerce today announced the availability of FitBaseTM, the go-to resource for the eCommerce market. FitForCommerce also announced its partnership with the e-tailing group, inc., the leading shopper-centric multichannel retail consulting firm. Leveraging the e-tailing group’s extensive research findings and its 15-year track record, FitForCommerce has developed FitBase, the most comprehensive knowledge base created for and by the eCommerce community. With access to thousands of best practices, feature evaluations, expert know-how, and solution provider insights, online and multichannel retailers now have the online tool they need to make informed decisions and stay competitive. FitBase content is specific, actionable, and organized to help retailers get the in-depth info they need – saving time and effort.

“Doing your homework has never been more important,” said Lauren Freedman, president of the e-tailing group. “We’ve partnered with FitForCommerce sharing industry best practices, category-centric benchmarks, and propietary survey data to ensure merchants have the know-how they need to compete across channels.”

“FitBase is the most comprehensive knowledge base on eCommerce best practices, feature assessments, and providers – plus access to a community of experts! Why go anywhere else? It’s a no-brainer!” said Brian Salau Beck, Chief Operating Officer of OvernightPrints.com.

Today’s economic climate has changed the way retailers look at technology. Maintaining webstores and multichannel capabilities that keep up with continually rising consumer expectations is essential to business survival. eCommerce solution providers offering retailers options to stay competitive have answered the call in droves, but sorting through the clutter of offerings, looking for a solution that is right for each retailer’s individual needs and challenges is daunting.

“An eCommerce manager needs to master hundreds of components from eMerchandising to eMarketing to webstore technology and multichannel features and functions. With overwhelming amounts of information on the Internet but little specific, actionable how-to advice, eCommerce practitioners don’t have the time or resources to spend sifting through Google searches that result in hundreds of articles and blogs,” said Bernardine Wu, founder and CEO of FitForCommerce.

“FitBase offers an easy and reliable source to quickly get practical, detailed information and advice on best practices, benchmarking and solution providers. And everyone knows that Lauren Freedman and her team have spent years researching and gathering some of the best online retail market data, so we are thrilled to leverage their expertise and work in a way that gives both practical and actionable information to retail executives.”

For the second year, FitForCommerce has been asked by the organizers of the Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition (IRCE) to provide a ‘Navigation Desk’ to assist attendees with finding the eCommerce solutions they need and to make the most productive use of their time in the exhibit hall. Held in Boston June 15 – 18, the IRCE is a four-day conference featuring 179 speakers in 94 sessions and 360+ exhibit booths devoted to the strategies and tools that e-retailers can use to rise above the recession.

While being the most comprehensive gathering of eCommerce solution providers in the industry, the 170,000 square foot exhibit hall can be difficult to navigate and is too large to browse row by row. A survey conducted at the 2008 IRCE revealed that nearly 90% of attendees found the exhibit hall to be “overwhelming” or “daunting” despite appreciating the variety and comprehensiveness of the solutions being offered.

In keeping with their core business of helping online retailers find best-fit eCommerce technologies, FitForCommerce staff at the Navigation Desk will be available to discuss retailers’ challenges, providing advice to determine what kinds of solutions are appropriate for their individual needs and providing guidance to locate vendors that offer those solutions. The staff will also give away its well-known series of eCommerce Diligence checklists (available here:

http://www.fitforcommerce.com/diligence_checklist.html) for Best Practices and Key Questions to Ask Vendors across 30 different eCommerce topics and vendor categories.

FitForCommerce founder and CEO, Bernardine Wu, will also be chairing the “Managing Technology” track on the first full day of the main conference. Technology is never a set-it-and-forget-it proposition. From the selection through implementation and operation, technology requires constant management. This track will guide retailers through the management process, from determining which investments will provide the greatest return, to managing vendor relationships, doing it yourself and making sure you have the right personnel to make it all work. Featured speakers on this track include executives from New York & Company, Brown Shoe, and Backcountry.com.